The Hon. George Hughes Randall, a retired Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia, passed away Tuesday, April 20. He was 83.

The Hon. Pamela Williams, now Chief Judge of the Provincial and Family Courts, was still a lawyer with the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission when Judge Randall was on the Bench.

“He was unforgettable,” Chief Judge Williams said. “He was always firm and commanded respect in the courtroom, but outside those four walls you often saw a different side. He was close with his colleagues and formed an immediate connection with anyone from his alma mater, Saint Mary’s University. My deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Judge George Hughes Randall was born in Halifax, N.S., on August 1, 1937. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1957 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University in 1960.

He articled with the firm of Coffin, Blois and Hicks in Halifax and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in February 1961. In August 1962, he joined the firm of Pace and MacIntosh and practised in Halifax, serving as solicitor for the Nova Scotia Hospital Commission and the Industrial Development Bank. In August 1969, Judge Randall formed a partnership with the firm of Paton, Paton and Randall, and in 1973 entered into a partnership in the firm of Randall, McNeil and Church.

Judge Randall was appointed to the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia on July 1, 1974. Throughout his judicial career he presided primarily in Halifax. He moved to per diem status at the age of 65 and continued to preside part-time until his retirement in 2012.

A mass and celebration of Judge Randall’s life will be held in the future when everyone can come together safely to celebrate his life and memory. His family invites those who knew Judge Randall to share their stories and memories of him on the online condolences page at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.